Toa Solaric: I don't own Pokemon or any of its franchise as they belong to Nintendo. Welcome to another chapter of Sun and Moon: Michael's journey.
Sun and Moon: Michael's Journey
Ch1: New Beginning in Alola…
The first thing Michael see when he opens his eyes was the ceiling. This made his emerald green eyes blink in confusion. Is he dream or not? The last he remember was trapped in an island that was about to exploded with him along it…
The redhead looks around to see that he was in a hospital bedroom. There are questions start filling in his head. Where in the world is he?
Michael then looks at himself careful before notices that his Snag Machine was off of his arm and lying beside him on the table next to him. Michael notices that the Snag Machine looks kinda of beaten up and some wires look a bit worn out.
Michael try to reach and touch the Snag Machine before he hears footsteps coming into the room. He turns around and seeing a pink hair woman in nurse outfit entering the room.
"I was wonder when you are awaken, young man." The Nurse said with a gentle smile.
Michael studied her careful before asking one question straight from his mind.
"…Are you Nurse Joy by any chances?" Michael asked uncertainly. It not that he doesn't recognized Nurse Joy. It just that the Nurse Emily are more common in the Orre Region compared to the Joy family in other regions like Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn.
"Of course I am." Nurse Joy said. "Though how are you feeling, young man?" she question about his condition after seeing him awake.
"I am not sure…" Michael said. 'How is this possible? I was sure that I die… after being shoots by a Cipher grunt and left die on that island!' he thought to himself.
"I assumed that you don't have any recollection on how you end up here?" Nurse Joy inquired. Michael nodded. "You were find on the sand and close to death if it wasn't for the young lady and her driver get you here." she explains.
The explanation from the pink haired nurse left Michael stunned. He was find alive on the sand… and almost close to die?
"On a beach? And how long I was unconscious exactly?" Michael asked, still disbelief.
"For nearly four days. The young lady often come by to check on how you were doing. Though I still amazed that you were even alive after those gun wounds." Nurse Joy said.
"What do you mean?" Michael inquired.
"I wasn't sure if you were able to make it, but somehow you healed rapidly after I got the doctors to help. I also will like to tell you that your Espeon is alright." Nurse Joy said.
Michael saw a blur coming into the room as his best friend snugged against his cheek. He can't be more than relief to see his best friend here.
"Hey pal… how were they treating you?" Michael asked softly.
(Do you know how long I've wait until they even let me see you?) Espeon said with psychic power.
Michael would like to chuckle, but he suddenly realized something and look back at Nurse Joy.
"Wait… were there any Pokemon on me when I was unconscious? Beside Espeon?" Michael asked to Nurse Joy.
"I'm sorry. We didn't find any other Pokemons on you. The only Pokemon we find is your Espeon." Nurse Joy said, gesture to the lavender cat pokemon.
"I see…" Michael whispered with a down expression. If he and Espeon are the only one survives, then rest of his team—
"I am sorry if I interpreting anything…" a new voice said. This got Michael out of his thought about his friends.
The redhead boy turns around and seeing a blonde hair girl with white sun hat making her presence known to the room.
Lillie wasn't sure what to suspect when her butler contact her that the boy is awake after few days when she find him and rode there immediately. In the room, she saw the redhair boy talking with Nurse Joy.
"I am sorry if I interpreting anything." Lillie announcing her presence to the room.
The redhair boy turns his green eyes and look at Lillie as their eyes made contact with each other.
"Who are you?" The redhair boy asked.
"Me? My name is Lillie." Lillie introduced herself.
"As you can see Miss Lillie was the one who brought you here." Nurse Joy explains.
Espeon jumps off the bed before walking toward Lillie and studied her. But Lillie suddenly become startled and panic before moving backward as Espeon stalking toward her. Michael blink confused at her reaction of Espeon being close to her.
"You afraid of pokemon?" Michael asked.
This causes Lillie to regain her composition.
"I am not scared of pokemon! I love pokemon!" Lillie said, moving slight distance from Espeon and close to the door. "At least… from research point. So how are you feeling… umm…?"
The redhair boy sighed before answer. "You can call me Michael." He then give a silent command for Espeon to return to his side as the lavender cat sitting on the bed.
"So Michael… how did you end up in the beach and hurt?" Lillie asked, wanting to know how someone like that end up there.
This made the redhair boy become quiet. He knows that he can't just tell anyone about his fight with Cipher especially the existence of the Snag Machine. It one thing that could cause him to be dropped into jail for sure.
(I think it best that we don't tell them the entire story consider that people still badly reach if they learn about the Snag Machine like before. Not to mention we even don't know where we are.) Espeon said to his friend.
Michael then looks at both Lillie and Nurse Joy before giving his honest answer. "To be honest… I have no clue on how I end up here…" He said.
"But what about the gun wounds?" Nurse Joy asked, serious.
"I was leaving after a battle before someone shot me." Michael stated. It was true since he did win against Greevil, but he wasn't careful enough to let himself end up being shoot.
Nurse Joy have a serious look on her face. She never exactly like gun being used when someone finished a pokemon battle and the fact that someone was trying to end this boy's life.
"But where exactly is here? The Kanto Region?" Michael asked.
Nurse Joy shakes her head. "No. You're in the Alola region."
"Alola…?" Michael and Espeon don't recognized the name of the region at all.
"Huh? You don't know about the Alola region?" Lillie asked, surprised. "It one of the well-known region with tropic environment and a lot of people come here as vacation resorts." She explains.
"This is the first time I heard of it…" Michael rubbing the arc of his nose.
"Where are you from?" Lillie asked.
"The Orre region." Michael said.
"The Orre region? I don't think I recall hearing anything about an Orre Region." Lillie said.
"I must apologized that I never hear of it either." Nurse Joy said.
Lillie stares at Michael before the redhead boy notices her stares and looks back at her with cold stare.
"Is there something wrong?" Michael asked.
"Oh… umm…" Lillie stammered before asking. "Michael… what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. I have no familiar with Alola or how far I am from my region." Michael stated.
"I see. You and your Espeon can came live at my place since you don't have anywhere else to go." Lillie said. It won't be a problem since her mansion is quite big enough to room them.
"I thank you for saving our live. But I don't want you drag you into our problems." Michael said.
It not like he didn't accept hospitality before but he didn't want Lillie to find out about who he is and his past. Lillie shows that she is a pretty sweet girl with personality to help out a stranger like Michael.
"Are you sure about that? But you don't know your way around Alola region!" Lillie pointed out serious.
Before Michael can counter against the blonde hair girl, Espeon got in his way and glares at him. "Espe…" he growl.
"Espeon?" Michael look confused before hearing his partner in his mind.
(That girl have a valiant point. Not only the rest of our friends not here, but we are in a region we aren't familiar. We don't have enough information either! I sense this girl is true to her words and we should accept it…) Espeon said mentally to his friend.
Michael want to glares at Espeon with angry expression before his words sunk in his mind made the redhead boy sighed.
He then looking back at Lillie who seem confused about their interaction.
"We will accept, but what about your folks?" Michael asked.
"It's not a problem. My mom is never at home and away on business. So the ones are taking care of the place are my servants. But I will explains to my butler so he can prepared a room for you." Lillie said. There is always one person she hadn't hear anything from him for a year when he was away.
"… Thank you." Michael said quiet.
Lillie nodded before heading out of the door before looking back at Michael. "In case you don't know, the Pokemon Center have phones with long distant call. You can try to contact your home." Lillie added before leaving the two alone.
"The number you try to reach isn't our list." The female operator voice said as Michael placed the phone back on the booth.
"This is unreal…" Michael muttered before looking at Espeon. "The operator looks like she doesn't even know where Orre located." He explains.
(And yet… we're alive somehow after that island exploded.) Espeon mumbled. (Michael, I have strange idea… it possible that we could be in a different world.)
This made the redhead look surprised at the lavender cat. "You mean parallel world?" He remember Professor Krane and another scientist once discuss about the multiverse theory.
(Like Professor Krane told us about world similar to our own except there can be differences like this Alola region. Not to mention Orre never show on the map means that it doesn't exist.) Espeon explains.
That make sense… but how did we end up here? Did someone saved us? Michael thought confused. He was certainly that he is left for die by that unnamed Cipher grunt. Not to mention that his pokemon except Espeon are gone, though he is relief of being with his best friend.
"We'll figure this out later." Michael said before leaving the booth and taking the sport bag.
Hanging over his shoulder is a sport bag that contains his Snag Machine and extra clothes that Nurse Joy kindly enough to provide for him after his looks like a mess. Consider that the Snag Machine is damaged until he can fixed it, Michael decide to not wear or show it will cause further suspicious.
(But compared to Orre… I never seen so many pokemons here before.) Espeon said, looking around Pokemon Center.
Michael looks around. Espeon is right. There are so many people and also Pokemons that he never seen before. He can't help still feeling disbelief that he never know there are other Pokemons especially what new Pokemons here in Alola. This will proved Espeon's theory of them being in alternative world of pokemon.
Michael suddenly saw a young girl with a blue Meowth eating snack nearby. This cause the young Orre Trainer looks stunned and disbelief at it. Last he recall is that Meowth is white, not blue.
"Huh? A blue Meowth?" Michael gawked in disbelief.
(It can't be a shiny Meowth is it?) Espeon asked, confused.
"Michael!" A familiar voice calling out to him.
The redhair boy turns around to see Lillie coming toward them.
The blonde hair girl notices that Michael is wearing new clothes. He wears a red and blue hooded shirt with long sleeves and long black jeans along with black shoes. He still wearing his blue headband over his forehead and goggles around his neck.
"I hope I didn't take too long." Lillie said. Michael shakes his head.
"No. Is everything alright?"
Lillie nodded. "Are you ready to go?" she asked.
"What is going with that Meowth? Why is it blue?" Michael asked, points to the strange blue Meowth by a girl.
Lillie looks at the blue Meowth and understands what the Orre Trainer is confused about. She then looks back at Michael who seem to waiting for an explanation.
"So you're familiar with Kanto Meowth being white?" Michael nodded to the blonde hair girl. "You see, some pokemons from other regions undergo changes when adapt to environments in Alola and began changes. Their appearances and their own types changes as well. Kanto Meowth is Normal Type, but Alola Meowth is Dark Type." She explains. This left Michael stunned about this fact.
"I see… So some pokemons end go changes after coming into Alola? Is it because of the weather here?" Michael mumbled. The more he hear about this, he want to investigate what cause them go through these changes.
(Pokemon can change types and appearances? Mysteries… How can this region caused such changes into Pokemons?) Espeon comment fascinating.
"Shall we get going now?" Lillie asked.
Michael nodded before he and Espeon accompany Lillie out of the Pokemon Center. They soon went into the limousine. Though Michael and Espeon sitting on the opposite side of the car to Lillie before the car start moving. Espeon is observing out the scenery from the window than pay attention to Michael and Lillie.
"So do you manages to contact with anyone from your Region?" Lillie asked. Though she is afraid of being near Espeon, but her curious keep her focus on the redhair boy.
Michael isn't sure what to say to Lillie. He and Espeon find out that they're in alternative version of his world and Orre never exist. This made him realized how alone they are here.
"No, I wasn't able." He answers.
"I see…" Lillie said.
Michael looks at Espeon who seem to be enjoying the scene out of the window and interesting in many unique beauty. He seen pictures of tropical lives in books, but seeing them up close beats book. He soon places his hand on between his ears and scratch them softly.
"Espe…" Espeon can't help but feeling relaxed as Michael scratch his favorite spot. Another reason to make sure Espeon won't get car sick.
He wasn't aware that Lillie watching them with a small smile.
"So what kind of pokemons does Orre have?" Lillie asked.
Michael looks back at Lillie. "It mix of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn regions." he stated.
Lillie notices that they ride passed some gate right now.
"Oh! We're here now." Lillie said, making Michael raise an eyebrow.
"I still don't see your home yet." Michael said, confused at the blonde.
"Oh you see… It because this is my property." Lillie answers.
This made Michael and Espeon blinks in surprised at the revelation.
(Whoa… so this girl is rich?) Espeon asked, surprised and stunned. (Did our luck turn better after surviving death itself?)
Michael isn't sure what to response either. But like Espeon, he still can't believe their luck after meeting Lillie.
When the car get close, they saw Lillie wasn't kidding as a large mansion before them with a water fountain in the front of it.
After getting out of the vehicle, they were greeting by an elder gentleman with a moustache in butler outfit.
"Welcome home, Miss Lillie." Her butler said.
"James, this is Michael and his pokemon Espeon. They will be staying with us." Lillie introduced the redhair and Pokemon to her butler.
"I am James, the butler of this residence." The elder man with the moustaches said to them.
"Pardon the intrusion." Michael said politely to the butler.
"I'm sorry for having to ask this, but may your Espeon please wait in the courtyard?" James requested.
"Espeon?" Michael said before looking at his pokemon.
(I assumed that for Lillie's sake. Besides I am going to explore around the place.) Espeon said, wanting to explore the place.
Michael nodded then looks at them.
"He doesn't mind." He explains to the Lillie and her butler. With that Espeon made his way around the mansion.
"Then shall we go in?" James asked before opening the door for them.
Once they went into the mansion, Michael give a glance around the place to see the inside of building really big with fancy silverwares in glass cases.
"Michael… I am sorry about this…" Lillie apologized to the redhead. "It just if I make contact with pokemon… they made me jump." She explains nervous.
Michael isn't sure why, but he can sense this girl care about pokemon but something is holding her back. Such thing was sad he realized, being someone who loves pokemon but at the same time being unable to touch them.
"Instead, I had a playground made for the pokemon in the courtyard so I can observe them from the distant." Lillie said.
"May I see the playground as well?" Michael asked, wanting to see what type of pokemons in Alola. Not to mention Espeon might be there.
"Of course." Lillie said.
The three soon walk up the staircase before Lillie hurry walk to what looks like a double door.
"And this is my room." Lillie said before opening the door.
Michael glance into the room and surprised to find it quite spacious. Not to mention he also notices pokemon dollies on the shelves. At least her room is quite clean. But there is still one thing bother the young teen.
"Why you don't like being close to pokemon, Lillie?" Michael asked to the pale blonde hair girl.
"I don't know." Lillie said with sorrow expression. This made Michael blinks.
"What do you mean?" Michael asked, confused.
But James is the one who answer. "Miss Lillie liked pokemon at young age, and she often play together with them." He explains to the young man.
Michael didn't say anything as he continued to listen to the butler's story.
"At one time, Miss Lillie moved into another mansion with madam. But since she returned from there, Miss Lillie was unable to touch pokemon." James explains.
Why do I have a feeling that Lillie's mom have something to do with her fear especially this mansion…? Michael thought to himself. The redhair teen then looks around the room and notices a small picture frame on the table.
In the picture of a woman with two children and Pokemons he never seen before. But what caught his attention is the younger Lillie with a bright smile and hugged the pokemon tightly.
To him it looked like the perfect image of a happy family... which made him remember a bit his own family.
"Is that your family?" Michael asked.
Lillie nodded. "Oh yes. Though my brother move out sometime year ago."
"And Madame is working in the other mansion." James added.
Just like him, Lillie only have a mother and sibling except they moved out. But Michael can't help feeling a bit sad and guilty since he is the one who left his mother and sister behind.
"Hey Michael, why don't we take you to the guest room?" Lillie offered, wanting to change the topic. "It quite close to the bathroom."
Michael nodded before following both Lillie and James out of her room. Though he wonder how Espeon doing on his own and getting along with wild Pokemons, but he wasn't worried about him being attacked as Espeon was strong enough to handle himself.
They soon made their way through the end of the hallway before James open the door.
"This will be your room for long as you stay with us in the mansion." James said as Michael steps into the room.
It wasn't quite large as Lillie's, but he didn't mind with light green wall color and wooden floor including a window. He already seen there is a bed and table for him to use.
"Do you like it?" Lillie asked as she seen him place the sport bag on the bed.
"It will do for now." Michael said. "… I won't let a debt go unpaid." He added. She was willing to help him despite being a complete stranger and even letting him stay with her, something not many people would do. So Michael could tell that girl was naive.
"Huh?" Lillie looks a bit surprised at Michael. The redhead looks back at her.
"This fear of yours, it can't go on like this." Michael stated.
"Y-You don't really need to do it…" Lillie said, nervous.
"I won't let a debt goes unpaid after you helped us." Michael said.
"I-I can't do that especially it something that anyone could have done." Lillie said. "But… d-do you think that you can help…me with my fear?"
Michael suddenly have an idea.
(Few minutes later)
Lillie can't help slight shaking while stares at Espeon who sitting on Michael's bed. She never would expect that Michael's idea to help her by making contact with Espeon.
Espeon is the only choice consider he won't causing problem by moving which will startled the young girl.
"Espeon isn't going to hurt you so he won't mind unless something mean him harms." Michael said in calm tone.
"I-I… I can do it…" Lillie muttered.
She looks at Espeon and the lavender cat stares back at her. She read book about Eevee and their Evolutions to find them amazing especially seeing one up close. And she knew that an Espeon was special among those Evolutions as an Eevee can only become an Espeon if the bond between it and his trainer was a true bond of friendship.
And that also said that Michael was a good person despite acting like a cold hearted person.
Lillie slowly extend her hand out to for Espeon's forehead.
There is no doubt she can touch with how quiet and motionless Espeon. But Lillie's fear got back to her once again.
"I… I can't do it!" Lillie said, back away and start looking away.
Espeon let out a sighed before jump off the bed and walking toward Lillie who start shriek in fear. The blonde hair girl turn and hiding behind Michael, shaking in fear.
"Miss Lillie!" James shrieked with worried.
"I-I can't do… please make him not come any closer…." Lillie pleaded, scared to Michael. "Please…" From the looks of it she would stared crying and Michael didn't wanted to do that to someone who helped him.
So when Michael saw Lillie shaking in fear, he know that this is enough. 'Espeon, that is enough…' he thought, stares at Espeon.
Espeon nodded before he returns to sitting on the bed and resting his head with slight disappointed expression.
"I am really sorry about it… Michael." Lillie said with disappointed tone.
Michael sighed before looking at the blonde hair girl. Maybe repaid debt to Lillie could be an issue. However, he learn whatever trauma hold her back is strong from her reaction with Espeon. With this trauma, there is no doubt she will be ill suite for the life of Pokemon Trainer.
(Michael, why don't you tell her to raise an egg?) Espeon suggested to his human friend.
Why? It might not work consider she still react badly around you… Michael thought.
He remember reading a book from Professor Krane about infant pokemon. But he have some doubt of Lillie being able to handle raising one due to her fear.
But Espeon have a frown on his face. (But raising an egg is a lot better than trusting her with a wild Pokemon and easily bond.)
The redhead sighed before looking at Lillie and spoke up. "You should raise a pokemon from an egg than catch one from wild." Michael suggested, making Lillie blinks.
"An egg?" Lillie asked.
"You will get used to the pokemon when they hatched." Michael explain mild. But the question is where to get an egg consider he don't know Alola.
"I see… Thank you, Michael. I will think about it. But I need to prepare for tomorrow class." Lillie said, making Michael blink.
"Class? You go to a School…?" Michael asked quiet. He was curious since in Orre there weren't schools...
"There is an academy taught children on how to learn about pokemon and I am student there." Lillie explains. "Do you want to come along? I am sure that you would like the place." She offered.
Plus she was sure that meeting her friends would be good for Michael since he seems to need to be less serious.
She wanted to thank him for trying to help her with her fear even if they have only know each other for a short time and for not being angry at her for being scared of pokemon.
"Hmm..." If there is a chance he can learn more about Alola, then he might check this place since his other option is to wander around and see what happens, so a school seems to be better than to just explore without knowing anything from the region.
"I am sure that Miss Lillie's friends will be interested in your experience with pokemons and will show you around." James said.
"I will think about it after I see your school in person." Michael stated. He still have some doubt that if he can truly learn anything by being in school as he was the type of trainer that learned everything trough his own experience.
However since Lillie is making him an offer he would accept it since he was still in debt with her so since he can't pay it yet at least he can do this.
After spending more time in understand the surrounding of the mansion and eat dinner, Michael is ready to rest for the night.
Espeon following him straight to his new bed after eating his shared of meal. Though Lillie is still unused to Espeon's presence, but she allow him stay with Michael due to him being his only friend.
(So we're going to school tomorrow. How do you feel about this?) Espeon asked to his friend.
"I still have some doubt." Michael said before lie on his bed. He still think it strange that he end up here after being left for dead.
(I know, but we can't let this new opportunity at life went to waste.) Espeon said with encourage tone. He too is sad, but he is happy that he still with his human friend.
"What about mom and Jovi? Do you think they will be alright?" Michael asked sadly, thinking about his mom and younger sister.
There is no doubt that they will grieving about his death right now. His mom who kept everyone strong, break down like what happens with his father. His sister who always hyper active, will cried to no end when hearing about his death.
The war against Cipher is over with Greevil and his force have no choice but to flee from the Orre Region. Michael isn't sure where they will go since they don't have any more Shadow factory to reproduce more Shadow Pokemon.
(We'll just trust Professor Krane and others help them. It the only thing we can do…) Espeon answers sadly.
"So how is it hanging with the wild pokemon?" Michael asked quiet. There were many wild pokemon he never encounter before in the playground… they were unlikely anything he seen in his world.
(It not bad and they're quite interesting. You should come meet them next time.) Espeon looking at his friend. (What about the Lillie girl? What do you think of her?) The lavender cat pokemon asked.
She is surprisingly too kind for her own good… but her trauma is unnatural, Michael thought. This made Espeon facepalmed.
(I meant what you think of her as a potential friend?) Espeon asked, looking at him.
"I only help her in return for saving our lives." Michael response. He didn't need friend like Lillie beside his Espeon. But he will do what it takes to repay his debt to Lillie.
(But still it will be nice to have some even if we end up in this world.) Espeon said sadly.
"How do you think she will react if she learn of our past, Espeon?" Michael asked grimly. 'Who would want to befriend us?' He still remember how people react after learning he takes Shadow Pokemon and wants him out or retaliated against him. That is why he never make any close relation with any trainers if they learn about the Snag Machine or Shadow Pokemons. They will only slow him down.
Sure he have distant support from people who want to take down Cipher, the only ones he can truly count are the pokemons with him. The ones who listen to him and truly believe in him as he pressed forward in battle against Cipher.
He blamed himself for not being careful and let himself get shot by that unexpected Cipher grunt. It humiliation to think his life was end by an insignificant grunt than Greevil and he won't be able to see his family.
He won't be able to see his friends when he promised them that their worse enemies defeated and no longer fear of being Shadow Pokemon.
(I missed them too, Michael.) Espeon said sadly when thinking about their family.
Michael petting his friend's head with his right hand. If Espeon wasn't here with him… he isn't sure what he would do or being able trust anyone else.
"I'll wait and see… what this region have in store for us." Michael said.
That is all Espeon need to hear before nuzzling his shoulder before crawling down a bit and went to sleep.
At the same time, Lillie was in her bed and ready to head for school in the morning. But the only problem she couldn't sleep right now.
The young girl still wonder if her condition of being afraid pokemon will be cured. It still a mystery to her that she end up become afraid of pokemon and not being able to touch them.
But her mom never told her or James about what happen before she left for the other mansion. She haven't hear her from then and her butler James filled in the role of parent for her and her brother.
Then a year ago, her brother decide to leave the mansion to train. Like her mother, her brother didn't explains why and haven't hears from him since then. She wonder if she will ever see her brother once again.
Her thought then focus on the redhair boy name Michael. The boy who nearly went close to the door of death after she brought him to the Pokemon Center. It still a miracle that he is able to survive from whatever happens to him.
Michael is an enigma and speak in few words. Despite acting like a cold heart person, he is kind for not snap at her for her fear of pokemon and trying to help her with her fear. This made her become curious about what behind the cold exterior Michael wear. Who exactly is he and how did he end up in Melemele Island?
She hope that at the Pokemon School, Michael will opens up if he meets her friends and possible love Alola like they do.
To be continued…
AN: What do you think for the first chapter? Sorry if there won't be a lot of actions. Michael will be staying at Lillie's mansion for now since he doesn't know where to go or what exist in Alola. Anyway, be sure to review or message me for any questions, comments, or concern. And don't be afraid to look at my other stories.